I have just started the process of getting insurance approval for my lap-band surgery. I went to the orientation to learn about it, I've had the first consult with the doctor, had the psych evaluation and a visit with the dietician. The only other things my insurance requires is a thyroid test and PCP clearance. They said once I get those last two things they send it to the insurance for approval. They said it could take 30 days, does it always take that long?I

Is there anything I need to buy or do before surgery? Any advice is welcomed! I'm terrified about this, I'm scared I will go through all of this and not loose any weight.

Thanks!!!

Well you asked for any advice....Here's my #1

Don't even consider a surgeon who won't use Fluoroscopy for fills. It's that important. My opinion only, but thats my advice.

I'm loving my properly adjusted band almost 4 years post op.

trust your doctor and follow the instructions you are given!

House5, I just got banded on the 21st. It took whole year to get me here. Insurance! But in that time I did alot of research on the band and other procedures and found this was the best for me. U will do just fine. Listen and ask as much questions as u need to feel comfortable. At the end of the day, this is for u, no one else. Good luck!

Start good eating habits prior to surgery! Such as-no straws, tiny bites, no drinking with meals, and put your fork down between bites. Get rid of all carbonated / sugary drinks, carbs and sugar to help prepare u for surgery. I didn't really stick to that preop and let me tell u it is not something that comes easily. I'm still working on it 4 weeks post op and its very necessary. For surgery and the healing period itself I would make sure u have gas-x chewable, and possibly a heating pad I've heard it helped with gas but I never tried it. Just follow all your surgeons instructions and if you have a doubt about something call your dr. It's your health and your life. Oh and as far as the time it takes to get approval, once submitted my insurance company needed additional information. From start to finish that took about 16 days for me. I'm still a newbie but I hope this helps. Good luck with everything!

Thank you all so much for the information.

~Jodie

Well you asked for any advice....Here's my #1

Don't even consider a surgeon who won't use Fluoroscopy for fills. It's that important. My opinion only, but thats my advice.

I'm loving my properly adjusted band almost 4 years post op.

I have an excellent surgeon, but they do not use fluoroscopy for fills. Many don't unless there are issues. I asked about it, and was told (by the front desk person) that it's too expensive to use on a regular basis.

I've had two fills so far (by the nurse), and she feels the port & gets the needle right on. I've had no issues with the fills, and each one has had the intended effect.

expect not miracles but a helper to help you eat less..

as chez said, follow your dr's advice,its crucial...

I have an excellent surgeon' date=' but they do not use fluoroscopy for fills. Many don't unless there are issues. I asked about it, and was told (by the front desk person) that it's too expensive to use on a regular basis.

I've had two fills so far (by the nurse), and she feels the port & gets the needle right on. I've had no issues with the fills, and each one has had the intended effect.[/quote']

Stevie Wonder could access my port without Fluoro. But no one can see thru your body to see your band....thats why it's so important.

Thanks everyone!

~Jodie

Well you asked for any advice....Here's my #1

Don't even consider a surgeon who won't use Fluoroscopy for fills. It's that important. My opinion only' date=' but thats my advice.

I'm loving my properly adjusted band almost 4 years post op.[/quote']

Hey catfish! I've read u speaking of the fluoroscopy fills before but don't really know what they are/ how they are done. My surgeon has never mentioned it or given me the option and I don't know anyone in person who has had them. I looked at a YouTube video to see but it wasn't very educational IMO. Why would you say it's that important to use?

The reason I'm so passionate about them is from very a personal experience. I had the lapband surgery in Sept 2009. Initally, for the first 4-5 months, I did well following my "diet" given to me. Followed it exactly as prescribed. Went to my follow up appt's as per plan.

Back then, my Dr's practice didn't use fluoro for fills. They blindly adjusted my band...Guessed how much I needed to provide proper restriction for me.

After that first 4-5 months, I noticed I had absolutely no help (restriction) from my band.....NONE. I discussed this with my surgeon, who I admire and have the highest regards for to this day. He said "You're just losing faster than we're adjusting, etc." Well as almost anyone who has chosen WLS knows, we lose determination/willpower after a certain amount of time and revert back to our old habits....eating too much! I got so discouraged...."this wasn't going to work for me, I was a failure, at least I lost 50#'s dieting, etc, etc." all the things you can see and read on here. I quit going to my doc, embarrassed because I was that failure...just like every other diet I'd done. I gave up!......almost. This was SURGERY, how could I give up on surgery??

I finally go back after about a year...had gained back weight, half of what I had lost. My doc had this new and wonderful device, called a fluoroscopy machine IN HIS OFFICE! He didn't belittle me, berate me, etc for gaining weight. Was happy I had came back...what a relief to me. Then we discussed my progress...backwards progress. He said it sounds like you need an adjustment. So I get to the "fill room" they stick the needle in, he comes in and asked me to drink the barium swallow.....IMMEDIATELY, he knew the issue!! My band had come undone....YES, UNSNAPPED! He said in the over 1000 he'd performed, I was the first he'd seen. (lucky me) He said absolutely nothing I did to cause it....an installation issue he said. He corrected it asap. Now all fills at his practice are done using fluoro.

Imagine this, you hear all the time about people saying "oh my bands fine. They pulled out the saline and it was all there. but I don't feel that green zone." HA! If your band isn't connected, it doesn't matter how much you have in it. you'll never get there.

There is also the issue of being able to see correct placement, "pouch" size, "slips", many other issues that I'm not qualified to speak about.

It's so simple, like a live xray. Its somewhat expensive compared to blind adjustments, but you can be at that green zone so much quicker. (Much shorter bandster hell) Because your surgeon can SEE what they are doing.

Sorry for the long ramble, but it is that important to me. I tell people all the time, support groups, friend who have a band, etc. I would never have been successful without Fluoro. I owe my weightloss success with this band, to the fluoro machine. NEVER, EVER GIVE UP! You can click on the link below, for more infomation about it.

http://www.hoab.org/...louis-missouri/

Wow thanks for that info! That would be very discouraging. So glad you talked to your dr about it and didn't give up!